Fire extinguisher



Dec. 2, 1952 Filed May 16, 1950 c. H. SOMERS ET AL 2,620,038

FIRE EXTINGUISHER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 CHARLES H. SOMERS q SUMNER (LT-WILLISATTo R N EY-i 1952 c. H. SOMERS ET AL 2,520,033

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed May 16, 1950 E 4 24 15 Flg-B 75 7 2B 000 no 8054 22 Q 81 o 7 T 81 98 OZ 2 iiif h 3 15 v 7 \k CHARLES H. SOMERS Q 7 4SUMNER c. WILLIS Z WQM ATTORNEYS 2 SHEETSSHEET g,

Patented Dec. 2, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Willis, White Plains,N. Y., assignors to The Fyr FyterCompany, Dayton, Ohio, a. corpora--tion-of Ohio Application May. 16, 1950,.Serial.No..162,255

13 Claims. 1

This'invention' relates to fire extinguishers, and more particularly toa fire extinguisher adapted for usewith 'a charge of dry chemical fireextin guishing material and provided-with a cartridge of compressed gassuch as CO2 for developing pressure within the extinguisher to effectdischarge ofthe fire extinguishing materialin use.

Inaccordance with the inventionfthere is provided a fire extinguisher ofthis character which is of simple and economical construction and whichhas material advantages from the standpoint of both convenience andreliability in use. In 'theextinguisher, a simple s'hell formsthecontainerfor'the charge, and a separatehead which is detachablysecured to the shell supports all of the operating parts of theextinguisher. Instead of having the discharge hoseor .other outlet.attached to the lower part of the shell, in theextinguisher of thepresent invention,'the discharge hose or other outlet is directlysecuredtotheihead and is provided with a pickupitube within thecontainerwhich extends downwardly from the head to a position near the bottom oftheshell. The gas-cartridge is also directly carried by the .head, and aconnecting passage in the headleadsfrom the cartridge to a gas tubeextending downwardly to the bottom of the shell to release the pressuregas at thebottom. of the shell insuch manner as to agitate the-chargeduring .the upward passage of the gas to the top of the container andthus to assure proper discharge of the fire extinguisher materialthrough thepickup tube andLdisch-arge outlet.

This construction of the extinguisher with the discharge outlet at thehead'has been found .to improve the maneuverability and manipulation ofthe extinguishen'and a handle is providedon the head to facilitate bothcarrying and use of the extinguisher. This handle also operates thepiercing pin which opens'the gas cartridge for'initial actuation of theextinguisher, the arrangement being such that simple downward'movementof the handle about itspivoted connection to the head operates the pin.In "addition, when the handle is thenused to liftthe extinguisher foroperation, the piercingpin will automatically be withdrawn fromtheruptured sealing disk of the cartridge to assure free flow of gastherefrom into thecontainer, while at the sametime stops are providedonthe handle and'headfor limiting upward movement of 'thehandle in theproper position for ready use during operation of .the .extinguisher.

Itis accordingly tone of theprincipal objects of the presentinventiomto'providev a fireextinguisherof the above type for usewith acharge of dry chemical fire extinguishing material which is simple andeconomicalto construct, easy to use and refill, as well as reliable inoperation, and wherein thehead for the shell carries all of "theoperatingparts of the extinguisher and isthus readily applicabletocontainers of differentxsizes and charge capacities.

It is also an object-of the invention to provide such afire'e-xtinguisher wherein the same handle employed for manipulation ofthe extinguisher during operation-also serves to actuatethe openingmechanism'forrthe pressure gas cartridgeand particularly to'provide sucha handle whichis arranged to effect automatic withdrawal of the openingpin fromithe cartridge during use of the extinguisher and thus to assureunimpeded flow of pressuregas into the container portion of theextinguisher'for effectivedischarge of the charge.

Other objects and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawing and the app-endedclaims.

"In the drawings- Fig. 1 is aperspective view of afire extinguisher inaccordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the extinguisher taken on the line'2'--2ofFig. 4;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragment of ,Fig. 2 showing the operation of thepiercing pin for thegas cartridge;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the extinguisher;

Fig. 5 is a view in rear elevation of the upper portion of theextinguisher;

Figs. 6 and '7 are enlarged fragmentary. sections on thelines 6--6andl-J respectively of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectionon the line 8--8 of Fig. 4showing the means forsecuring the head of the extinguisher tothe shell;and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the neck of the gas cartridgeshowing thesealing-clisk and plug assembly forthe cartridge.

Referring to thedrawing, which illustratesa preferred embodiment oftheinvention, the shell l0 which forms the container ,for the charge oftomrim'of the shellas shown in'Fig. 2.

The upper end of'the shell [0 is provided with an annular dome i3 havinga downwardly extending central flange M defining a large cylindricalopening l5. A reinforcing ring it is supported within the upper end ofdome it by spinning over at H the lower edge of the fiange M. This ringI5 is provided with a plurality of tapped holes 18 as shown in Fig. 8for receivin the mounting bolts 20 which secure the head 22 to theshell, and a gasket 23 is provided between the head 22 and dome Hi toseal this connection. A loop 24 is welded to the shell ii] to providefor hanging the extinguisher on a suitable wall bracket.

The head 22 supports all of the operating parts of the fireextinguisher, and it includes a filling opening 25 through the topthereof which is provided with a screw cap 26 and sealing ring 2?. Atthe front of the head is a discharge opening 3!) into which is threadedan elbow 3| to which the hose 33 is secured by means such as a ferrule 35. A nozzle 35 is secured to the other end of hose 33 by a ferrule 35,and the discharge passage 3? through the nozzle is controlled by a pin40 which forms a slide valve and is controlled by a handle 4] pivoted tothe nozzle at 42 and provided with a spring M. which normaliy urges thehandle to the closed position of the valve pin 45. A pickup tube 65 issecured within the inside end of the discharge opening 35 in head 22,and this tube extends downwardly within the container to a position nearthe bottom and one side of the container and well below the upper end ofthe bottom member I l as shown in Fig. 2.

A spring clip to may be welded or otherwise secured to the side of theshell in for holding the nozzle during non-use of the extinguisher.Also, in order to prevent foreign matter from entering and possiblyclogging the discharge passage 3l when the extinguisher is not in use, arubber protector cap M is frictionally fitted over the end of the nozzleand is secured to shell it by a chain 48. Thus when thenozzle is removedfrom clip 46, the chain 48 will automatically pull cap ll from thenozzle to make it ready for use.

The gas cartridge 50 is provided with a threaded neck portion 5i whichis received within a tapped socket 52 in the under side of a rearwardlyprojecting extension portion 53 of head 22. The upper surface of thishead portion 53 is formed with a depression 54, and two drainage holes55 are accordingly provided therethrough as shown in Figs. 4 and '7. Aflat nut 55 is welded to the upper end of the cartridge to facilitatetightening of the threaded neck ill in socket 52, and a rubber gasket 5!is provided between the end of the cartridge and the base of the socket.The cartridge is also provided with a supporting clip 58 secured to theback of the shell Iii.

A vertical passage 60 connects the socket 52 with the horizontal passage(H which extends radially inwardly of the head to a position locatedinwardly of the central opening H5 in dome l3, and the under side of thehead is formed with an annular boss 62 at the inner end of this passage61, the outer end of passage 6| being sealed by a plug 55. A tube B l isinserted within the lower end of boss 62, and this tube extendsdownwardly and is bent in such manner as shown in Fig. 2 that its lowerend is located at the opposite side of the shell from the lower endofthe pickup tube 5 and well below the upper'end of the bottom member ll.Thus when the gas cartridge 56 is opened, the gas will pass therefromthrough the socket 52 and passage 4 to the passage ti and then throughthe boss 62 and tube G l to the bottom of the container for dischargeinto the interior of the container.

A sealing disk and plug assembly shown in detail in Fig. 9 is securedwithin the neck 5! of cartridge 58. This assembly includes an annularplug 55 having threads along the upper part of its outer surface forengagement within the tapped inner portion of the cartridge neck 5|, andthe inner part of this plug is provided with vertical slits 65 forreceiving a suitable Wrench. A thin sealing disk E0 of brass or othersuitable material is mounted Within plug 55 between an annular insert Hand an annular retainer 72, and these parts are secured Within the plugby spinning over the thin lower end portion of the plug as indicated at73. The neck of the cartridge is provided with an annular boss 74against which the retainer l2 seats as shown in Fig. 9, and the disk iiiserves to seal the interior of cartridge 50 and is adapted to beruptured to effect release of the pressure gas for actuating theextinguisher.

A handle 75 serves both as a carrying handle for the fire extinguisherand also as the operating member for efiecting opening of the gascartridge 55 by rupture of the sealing disk it. The forward end of thishandle is pivoted to the head 22 by means of a stud it which is threadedinto the head and is connected with the handle by means of a pivot pinTl supported in a yoke portion 18 at the front of the handle. At therearward end of the handle is a downwardly extending portion 85 which isreceived between the channelled outer end 8! of the head extension 53for guiding the handle in its pivotal movement about the pivot pin 11.

The handle 75 supports a piercing pin 85 for opening the gas cartridge,this pin extending slidably through a bore 86 in the head 22 and intothe passage 50 and socket 52 The upper end of the bore 85 is sealed byan O-ring 81 compressed against the bottom of a socket 88 in the uppersurface of the head 22 by a retainer nut 89. The upper end of pin 85 ispivoted by a pin 90 in a yoke portion 9| of handle 15, the yoke 91 beingslotted at 92 to receive pin 90 and thus to provide for the angularmovement of the handle about its pivot Tl with respect to the piercingpin. It will thus be seen that when the handle i5 is moved downwardlyabout its pivot ll, it will move the piercing pin 35 downwardly toefiect rupture of the sealing disk 10 and release of the contents ofcartridge 55 into the passages 50 and El. The retainer 89 and bore 86guide pin 85 during this movement to maintain it in proper alignmentwith the neck of cartridge 50 and the sealing disk Hi, and in order toprevent water or dirt from entering around pin 85 when the extinguisheris not in use and possibly causing it to stick, a flexible rubber cover93 is provided as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, which fits between the head ofpin 85 and an annular boss 94 on the head and is compressed like adiaphragm when handle 15 is depressed.

To prevent accidental opening of the cartridge, a locking pin 95 isinserted in matching holes 96 and 9? in the handle portion 80 andchannelled portion Bl of the head extension 55, this pin being looselysecured to the head by means of a chain 98 as shown. Also, a wire 99having its ends sealed together by a readily frangible seal I00 of softmetal or other suitable material may be passed through the head of pin95 and through the handle 15 and a hole through flat nut 56 to preventtampering with hand1e'l5 or the gas cartridge, the seal 1 I10beingi-readily broken when theextinguisher is to beaused. In addition,stops are provided for limiting upward movementof the 'handle aboutpivot Tl when the locking pin 95 is not in place. Referring to Figs. "5and fi, the lower end of the handle portion 8.0 is formed withlaterallyprojecting ears NH and theinner faces of the channelled.portion 8! of the head is under cut at L92 to provide shoulders whichcooperate with ears ill! to form stops limiting upward movement of thehandle.

lFig. 2.shows theextinguisher in normal condition ready for use, withthe charge of dry chemical .fire extinguishing material indicated at105. Forexample, a suitable material for use with. this extinguisher isa .powdercomposed primarilyof sodiumbicarb'onate. In order to operatetheextinguisher, the locking pin 95 is first withdrawn, and the handle I5is then pushed downwardly to-force thelower end of the piercing pin 85through thesealing disk 10 as shown in Fig.23. Upon the resultingrupture of this disk, the gas within the cartridge 50 will be releasedthrough the passages 60 and 8! to the tube 64, and 'the gas will thus bereleased at the bottom of the-charge and will percolatexupwardly throughthe dry materialythus agitating the charge in preparation for discharge.As soon as sufficient gas has reached the top of the shell to create thedesired pressure on the charge, which requires only a few seconds, thehandle 4| on'the nozzle is operated to pull the valve pin 40 to openposition and permit free discharge of the fire extinguishing material.It will be noted that during this operation of the extinguisher, sincethe gas isreleased from tube 64 at the opposite side of the shell fromthelower end of the pickup tube 45, and since both of these tubes extenddownwardly to positions well below the upper end of the bottom member,the latter serves to sealagainst-possible short circuiting of the gasto the-pickup tube and assures full and proper dischargeof substantiallythe entire contents of the-shell.

The handle canbe readily used for manipulation of the extinguisher assoon as it has been operated toopen the gas cartridge. In addition,theaction of'lifting the extinguisher by thehandle willautomaticallyeffect withdrawal of the lower end of the piercing pinfrom the rupturedsealing disk, thus preventing possible interference by the pin with thefree discharge of the pressure gas. As noted, this upward movement ofthe handle is limited by contact of the ears IOI thereon with the stopsI02, and these parts are proportioned to position the handle at theproper level for convenient manipulation of the extinguisher.

After the charge of fire extinguishing material has been exhausted, theextinguisher is readily recharged by first inverting it and holding thenozzle open until all of the gas pressure within is released. The cap 26for the filling opening 25-'is then removed and a fresh charge 'of fireextinguishing material placed within the shell, andtheispentloartridgetll is unscrewed from the head "and replaced with afresh cartridge. Beforeireplacing the cartridge, the handle 15 should belocked in its upward position by inserting the safety pin 95 in order toprevent the possibility of inadvertent rupture of the sealing disk inthe fresh cartridge.

It :will-thus be seen that the present vlIlVGl'lwhich islsimpletoconstruct, easy "to an .and refill, and convenient to use. Theprovision of a head :asdescribed whichicarries all of the operatingparts of the extinguisher separately from the shell offers severalpractical advantages. Construction of .the shell itself is:simplified,and also the same head can be employed r with .1 shells of differentcapacities, 'the only modification 'required beingto lengthenvtheipickuptube and the as tube within the shell. It has-also beenfound in practicethat the extinguisher is. handled with considerably more ease andconvenience when the discharge hose is connected with the headof theextinguisher rather than at a lower position on the shell. The simpleand convenient arrangement of a single handle for actuating "theextinguisherhas alsobeen found highly advantageousboth-from thestandpoint of convenience and also from the standpoint "of assuringrapid and effective operation as a result of the automatic withdrawal ofthe piercing pin from the neck of the gas cartridge following ruptur ofthe sealing disk. Since the primary requirement for anyfire extinguisher:is that it operate rapidly and effectively, and also that it bereadilyhandled during use, it will be seen that all of these severalfeaturescontribute to accomplishment of the primary purposes of theextinguisher.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferredembodiment of'theinvention, it is to be understood that the inventionisnot'limited to this precise form- 0f apparatus, and that changes maybemade thereinwithout departing from the scope of the invention "which isdefined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A fire extinguishera-dapted for use with a charge of dry chemicalfire extinguishing material and a cartridge of compressed-gas,comprising a shell forming a container for said charge, a headsecured to the upper end of said shell, means forming a discharge outletthrough saidhead from said container, a pickup tube for said dischargeoutlet secured to said head and extending downwardly therefrom withinsaid container to the lower end of said shell, means on said headoutside said shell for detachably supporting said cartridge providingfor removal and replacement of said cartridge from outside saidcontainer without removing said head from said shell, means forming apassageway within said head for conducting gas from said cartridge tothe interior of said container, means on said head for effecting openingof said cartridge to release said gas into said passageway, and a tubesecured to said head in communication with said passageway and extendingdownwardly within said container to the lower end of said shell forconducting said gas from said cartridge to the bottomportion of saidcharge within said shell.

2. A fire extinguisher adapted for use with a charge of dry chemicalfire extinguishing material and a. cartridge of compressed gas,comprising a shell forming a container for said charge, a head for theupper end of said shell, means forming a discharge outlet through saidhead from said container, a pickup tube for said discharge outletsecured to said head and extending-downwardly therefrom within saidcontainer to the lower end of said shell, means on said head outsidesaid shell for supporting said cartridge providing for removalandreplacement -of said cartridge from outside .said -.container" withoutremoving said head from said shell, means forming a passageway withinsaid head for conducting gas from said cartridge to the interior of saidcontainer, means on said head for effecting opening of said cartridge torelease said gas Within said passageway, a tube secured to said head incommunication with said passageway and extending downwardly withinsaidconta-iner to the lower end of said shell for conducting said gasfrom said cartridge to the bottom portion of said charge, and means forreleasably securing said head to said shell to provide for removal ofsaid head and said tubes and cartridge as a unit from said shell.

3. A fire extinguisher adaptedfor use with a charge of dry chemical fireextinguishing material and a cartridge of compressed gas, comprising ashell forming a container for said charge, a head for the upper end ofsaid shell, means forming a discharge outlet through said head from saidcontainer, a pickup tube for said discharge outlet secured to said headand extending downwardly therefrom within said container to the lowerend of said shell, means on said head outside said shell for supportingsaid cartridge providing for removal and replacement of said cartridgefrom outside said container without removing said head from said shell,means forming a passageway within said head for conducting gas from saidcartridge to the interior of said container, means on said head foreffecting opening of said cartridge to release said gas into saidpassageway, and a tube secured to said head in communication with saidpassageway and extending downwardly within said container to the lowerend of said shell for conducting said gas from said cartridge to thebottom portion of said charge, means for releasably securing said headto said shell to provide for removal of said head and said tubes andcartridge as a unit from said shell, said head having a filling openingtherein for recharging said container, and a cap removably secured tosaid opening to provide for charging said container without removingsaid head from said shell. 7

4. A fire extinguisher adapted for use with a charge of dry chemicalfire extinguishing material and a cartridge of compressed gas,comprising a shell forming a container for said charge, a head securedto the upper end of said shell, means forming a discharge outlet throughsaid head from said container, a pickup tube for said discharge outletsecured to said head and extending downwardly therefrom within saidcontainer to the lower end of said shell and at one side thereof, meanson said head for supporting said cartridge, means on said head foreffecting opening of said cartridge to release said gas within saidcontainer, and a tube secured to said head in communication with saidcartridge and extending downwardly within said container to a positionat the lower end of said shell adjacent the opposite side of said shellfrom the lower end of said pickup tube for conducting said gas from saidcartridge to the bottom portion of said charge at a position spaced fromthe lower end of said pickup tube.

5. A fire extinguisher adapted for use with a charge of dry chemicalfire extinguishing material and a cartridge of compressed gas,comprising a generally cylindrical shell forming the container for saidcharge, an inverted bowl shaped member secured within the lower end ofsaid shell to form the bottom of said container and extending upwardlytherein, a head secured 8. to the upper end of said shell, a dischargetube secured to said head outwardly of said shell, a pickup tube forsaid discharge tube secured to said head and extending downwardlytherefrom within said container to a position at one side of said shellbelow the level of the upper end of said bottom, means on said head forsupporting said cartridge, means on said head for efiecting opening ofsaid cartridge to release said gas within said container, and a tubesecured to said head in communication with said cartridge and extendingdownwardly within said container to a position below the upper end ofsaid bottom and at the opposite side of said shell from the lower end ofsaid pickup tube for conducting said gas from said cartridge to thebottom portion of said charge with the upper portion of said bottomforming a shield between the discharge end of said gas tube and thepickup end of said pickup tube to prevent direct passage of said gasfrom said gas tube to said pickup tube.

6. A fire extinguisher adapted for use with a charge of dry chemicalfire extinguishing material and a cartridge of compressed gas,comprising a shell forming a container for said charge, a head for theupper end of said shell, means forming a discharge outlet through saidhead from said container, a pickup tube for said discharge tube securedto said head and extending downwardly therefrom within said container tothe lower end of said shell, means on said head for supporting saidcartridge, means on said head for effecting opening of said cartridge torelease said gas within said container, a tube secured to said head incommunication with said cartridge and extending downwardly within saidcontainer to the lower end of said shell for conducting said gas fromsaid cartridge to the bottom portion of said charge, a reinforcing ringsecured within the upper end of said shell, said ring having a pluralityof tapped holes therethrough, and a plurality of bolts extending throughsaid head for engagement in said tapped holes to secure said head tosaid shell and provide for removal of said head with said tubes andcartridge as a unit from said shell.

'7. A fire extinguisher adapted for use with a charge of dry chemicalfire extinguishing material and a cartridge of compressed gas,comprising a shell forming a container fo said charge, a head secured tothe upper end of said shell, means forming a discharge outlet from saidcontainer, means on said head outside said shell for supporting saidcartridge providing for removal and replacement of said cartridge fromoutside said container without removing said head from said shell, meansforming a passageway within said head for conducting gas from saidcartridge to the interior of said container, a tube secured to said headin communication with said passageway and extending downwardly withinsaid container to the lower end of said shell for conducting said gasfrom said cartridge to the bottom portion of said charge, a handlesecured to said head for carrying said extinguisher, and means carriedby said head for operation by said handle to open said cartridge and toefiect release of said gas into said passageway and discharge of saidcharge through said outlet.

8. A fire extinguisher adapted for use with a charge of dry chemicalfire extinguishing material and a cartridge of compressed gas,comprising a shell forming a container for said charge, a head securedto the upper end of said shell,

means forming a discharge outlet from said container, means on said headfor supporting said cartridge, a handle pivoted at one end to said head,means carried by said handle for effecting opening of said cartridgeupon downward movement of said handle about said pivot therefor toeifect release of said gas within said container and discharge of saidcharge through said outlet, and means limiting upward. movement of saidhandle about said pivot to provide for supporting said extinguisher byof said handle during discharge of said charge.

9. A fire extinguisher adapted for use with a charge of dry chemicalfire extinguishing material and a cartridge of compressed gas,comprising a shell forming a container for said charg a head secured tothe upper end of said shell, means forming a discharge outlet from saidcontainer, means on said head for supporting said cartridge, a handlepivoted one end to said head, a piercing pin carried by handle inposition to effect opening of said cartridge upon downward movement ofsaid handle about said pivot therefor to release said gas within saidcontainer, said pin being adapted to he withdrawn from said cartridgeupon upward movement of said handle about said pivot to assure freedischarge of said gas from said cartridge into said container, andcooperating means on said handle and said head for limiting said upwardmovement of said handle to provide for carrying said extinguisher bymeans of said handle and directing the discharge thereof.

10. A fire extinguisher adapted for use with a charge of dry chemicalfire extinguishing material and a cartridge of compressed gas, comprising a shell forming a container for said charge, a head secured to theupper end of said shell, means forming a discharge outlet from saidcontainer through the front of said head, said head including anextension projecting rearwardly therefrom in overhanging relation withsaid shell, means on said extension for supporting said cartridge, ahandle pivoted at one end to said head and extending rearwardly fromsaid pivot therefor in overhanging relation with said head extension, apiercing pin carried by said handle for effecting opening of saidcartridge upon downward movement of said handle about said pivot torelease said gas within said container, the rearward end of said headextension including a channelled portion for guiding said movement ofsaid handle, said handle including a portion received within saidchannel, laterally projecting ears on said handle portion, and meanswithin said channel forming stops for engagement with said ears to limitupward movement of said handle about said pivot, said ears and said stopmeans being proportioned to provide for sufficient upward movement ofsaid handle to Withdraw said pin from said cartridge for free release ofsaid gas While retaining said handle in position for ready use as ahandle for carrying said extinguisher during discharge of said charge.

11. A fire extinguisher adapted for use with a charge of dry chemicalfire extinguishing material and a cartridge of compressed gas,comprising a shell forming a container for said charge, a head securedto the upper end of said shell, means forming a discharge outlet fromsaid container, means on said head for supporting said cartridge, ahandle pivoted at one end to said head, a piercing pin carried by saidhandle slidable through a portion of said head to effect opening of saidcartridge upon downward movement of said handle about said pivottherefor to release said gas within said container, and an annularsealing member receiving said pin therethrough and positioned betweensaid handle and said head to prevent dirt and liquid from access to saidpin tending to interfere with operating movement of said pin, saidsealing memher being flexible for compression between said handle andhead upon downward movement of said handle.

12. A fire extin uisher adapted for use with a charge of dry chemicalfire extinguishing material and a cartridge of compressed gas,comprising a shell forming a container for said charge, a head securedto the upper end of said shell, means forming a discharge outlet fromsaid container, means on said head for supporting said cartridge, ahandle pivoted at one end to said head, means carried by said handle forefiecting opening of said cartridge upon downward movement of saidhandle about said pivot therefor to efiect release of said gas withinsaid container and discharge of said charge through said outlet, saidhandle and said head having holes therethrough adapted to register witheach other when said handle is in a raised position thereof, and aremovable locking member adapted to be received through said holes toprevent accidental downward movement of said handle and resulting inaccidental opening of said cartridge.

13. A fire extinguisher adapted for use with a charge of dry chemicalfire extinguishing material and a cartridge of compressed gas,comprising a shell forming a container for said charge, a head securedto the upper end of said shell, means forming a discharge outlet fromsaid container, means on said head for supporting said cartridge, ahandle pivoted at one end to said head, means carried by said handle foreffecting opening of said cartridge upon downward movement of saidhandle about said pivot therefor to effect release of said gas withinsaid container and discharge of said charge through said outlet, saidhandle and said head having holes therethrough adapted to register witheach other when said handle is in a raised position thereof, and asealing member adapted to be received through said locking member andthrough a portion of said cartridge to prevent tampering with saidextinguisher, said sealing member including a readily frangible portionto facilitate removal thereof for operation of said extinguisher.

CHARLES H. SOMERS. SUMNER C. WILLIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,715,347 Badger June 4, 19291,866,981 Melgs July 12, 1932 2,385,449 Koehler Sept. 25, 1945 2,501,047Gustaifson Mar. 21, 1950

